Effects of Harvesting Cypress Swamps on Water Quality and Quantity

摘要

The responses of cypress swamps to a spectrum of harvest techniques are being studied in the Withlacoochee State Forest, Hernando County, Florida. Among the 11 swamps in the study area, four contain plots that were harvested experimentally in 1984. Stand improvement cuts were made in plots in two large swamps. Measurements of tree biomass were made in all but two of the large swamps. The swamps were surveyed for cone production in the fall and regeneration in the spring. However, coppice was produced in all the harvested plots. These prelim. results suggest that coppice production may be a dependable regeneration method, although it may not be desirable for stand improvement cuts and thinning. Evapotranspiration from three cypress swamps averaged 79 cm over a 3-year period. The purpose of this project was to determine specific impacts of harvesting on water quality and water loss rates in the study areas.